So, I'm getting into a groove with my shiny new NBA 2K10 franchise... and suddenly the video starts having odd issues. Bars of yellowish tint across the screen. I turn it off, reboot the system. This time, there are random blue streaks and pixels, then there are both blue streaks and yellowish bars. Try again... This time, the console comes on, but there is no video. I turn it off... and the fan is still whirring away after it's turned off. Have to unplug the thing to get it to shut up.

So, I redo all of the connections, same issue... No video. No RROD or anything, but from what I'm reading online -- This seems to be part of the rash of video card failures the XB360 is now experiencing.

What a piece of crap. If it doesn't fail one way, it finds a completely different way to fail?

AND, from what I'm reading, Microsoft wants 99$ to fix it. A hundred dollars to repair a faulty console that may or may not still have a RROD crash waiting in its future?

What the hell? I mean, really. At the moment, I'm strongly considering a shift back to Sony.

SundayNiteBlackout wrote:That sucks bro. I can fix the RROD myself, but I haven't got a clue about faulty video cards.

Never looked inside a 360 before (and google fu doesn't yield anything helpful), but the main question is: Is the GPU integrated into the motherboard or is it a separate card? Because if it's a separate card, wouldn't it be the same as installing a video card in a computer? (My guess would be yes, based on the fixing price. If it were a motherboard issue, you'd probably be better off replacing the system.)

I was considering that, but after ignoring the various reports and looking for myself... I actually see more on the PS3 side I'd be interested in than vice-versa. I'm more an MLB: The Show guy than a Halo player.

I haven't seen many that caught my attention for the 360, either. Fallout was the only one I had more than a vague interest in playing (I tend toward the PC for my RPG needs. Bioware needs to crank out another Neverwinter clone... though, my PC is getting old, so that'd probably get me spending more money than I need to be)... Mass Effect was good stuff.

Anyway, I really don't feel like pumping more money into microsoft to get the video card fixed and then still have the RROD potential hanging over my head. PS3 seems to have caught up in the software department... plus I can save 120+ bucks a year on XB Live fees.

I have been tradionally a PC gamer since I was a kid and buying a 360 was my first console since a PS2 (I bought that just for GTA) and even though I got COD5 for the 360 it turns out that the only game I play on 360 is Madden. As far as FPS or RTS goes, PC FTW hands down!

TravTex wrote:I haven't seen many that caught my attention for the 360, either. Fallout was the only one I had more than a vague interest in playing (I tend toward the PC for my RPG needs. Bioware needs to crank out another Neverwinter clone... though, my PC is getting old, so that'd probably get me spending more money than I need to be)... Mass Effect was good stuff.

Anyway, I really don't feel like pumping more money into microsoft to get the video card fixed and then still have the RROD potential hanging over my head. PS3 seems to have caught up in the software department... plus I can save 120+ bucks a year on XB Live fees.

sammyc521 wrote:You should check out Demon Soul (PS3), White Knight Chronicles (PS3) and Dragon Age (360/PS3) all three are RPG's coming out this fall.

If you want another Action/RPG you should check out Borderlands (PC/360/PS3). I'm planning on picking it up today.

Thanks Sammy. I'll check those out. Roommate has Demon Soul and loves it, but I hear a shocking amount of yelling and swearing coming from his room and that's the last thing I need. I guess that game is insanely hard. But I could use a good RPG - don't remember the last time I played a non-sports title on my PS3.

Sarlacc, on comparing .NET to Soccer: And why not? It's a bunch of people running around in circles, feigning pain, and never scoring.

Grabbed a PS3. Woot. Still have the Xbox 360 skeleton, though... Was hoping it'd survive long enough for a trade-in (It had started working again). I was going to be 40 bucks out of pocket, and as I was finalizing things... Bzzrt. Video card died completely mid-test.

Got my PS3 all set up and have the network set up. Spent some time dinking around with a couple new games (Infamous, and MLB The Show '09).

At the moment, I'm a rook pitcher doing middle relief duty for the Eire Seawolves. Was drafted by Detroit and sent to AA after spring training. Signed a 2-year contract for 63k. Hooray for ramen noodles.

sammyc521 wrote:You should check out Demon Soul (PS3), White Knight Chronicles (PS3) and Dragon Age (360/PS3) all three are RPG's coming out this fall.

If you want another Action/RPG you should check out Borderlands (PC/360/PS3). I'm planning on picking it up today.

Thanks Sammy. I'll check those out. Roommate has Demon Soul and loves it, but I hear a shocking amount of yelling and swearing coming from his room and that's the last thing I need. I guess that game is insanely hard. But I could use a good RPG - don't remember the last time I played a non-sports title on my PS3.

I hear you Kyle... I read the reviews on Demon Soul and it sound old-skool NES BattleToads hard.

If you are interested in a dumbed-down strategy game, you could check out Civ Revolution. It has almost nothing in common with the CIV series on PC, but it's a cool strategy game. I think they have a demo on PSN. (Civ Rev is also on 360).

Toys R Us ran the same promotion last week. I told the guy that I wanted game coming out this week and he said I could return any unopened game in 45 days. Came back this week and was denied by the manager said the promotion only works for releases at the time of the promotion. BS if you ask me...

Since I'm sure Trav could use this list, being a new PS3 owner, what are some games everyone feels must be had on the PS3 that are out now?

Sammy, how do you like Borderlands?

Stupid Toys R Us wouldn't let me return my games b/c their manager is a tool. He said that Borderlands came out after the promotion so he wouldn't honor it even though an employee told me to do it.

I bought a copy of Madden 10, NHL 10 and Brutal Legends (intending to return the latter two and keep Madden). So I bought a copy of Madden at Costco so I am now returning all copies and waiting until Sunday to buy them. I'm hoping to pick up FIFA 10, Demon Soul and Borderlands at Best Buy.

So far I'm hearing that Borderlands is stupid fun and that once you get a party going it really gets going. The down thing I've heard is that the looting system is first-come-first-serve. So you gotta party with some good people.

SundayNiteBlackout wrote:I just got a PS3, I have MLB The Show (Awesome), Little Big Planet (Awesome), The Club (Pretty good, got it at Fred Meyer for 7 bucks in the bargain bin yesterday), and Metal Gear Solid (Awesome)

Since I'm sure Trav could use this list, being a new PS3 owner, what are some games everyone feels must be had on the PS3 that are out now?

Sammy, how do you like Borderlands?

Stupid Toys R Us wouldn't let me return my games b/c their manager is a tool. He said that Borderlands came out after the promotion so he wouldn't honor it even though an employee told me to do it.

I bought a copy of Madden 10, NHL 10 and Brutal Legends (intending to return the latter two and keep Madden). So I bought a copy of Madden at Costco so I am now returning all copies and waiting until Sunday to buy them. I'm hoping to pick up FIFA 10, Demon Soul and Borderlands at Best Buy.

So far I'm hearing that Borderlands is stupid fun and that once you get a party going it really gets going. The down thing I've heard is that the looting system is first-come-first-serve. So you gotta party with some good people.

I rented Demon's Souls the other day... it's quite a bit more fun than I expected what's basically a hack 'n slash to be. I'm generally leaning more toward the ROLE in RPGs -- Love things with tons of conversation, interplay between characters, etc. It can be wicked hard at times, though... My last runthrough with a thief had me end up charging in up against the Phalanx demon with no fire... I had a freaking dagger. Somehow pulled a victory out of my butt, but it took damn near thirty minutes of scampering around poking at the stupid things.

There's a good deal on Amazon.com for Dragon Age. Buy at regular price (which is less than $59.99) and get $10 off your next Amazon order. I checked last week and they were offering $20 bucks off your next Amazon order if you bought COD: MW2.

Thanks. And I might take you up on that Madden offer, though I'm not playing it much this year. Or the year before. Madden seems to have really fallen off the face of the planet the past couple of years. I HATE that man coverage blows chunks, that the CPU is hellbent on blitzing, and that blocking still sucks. Actually, blocking is okay with me because I understand that's tough to program, it may even be beyond the talents of EA. But there's no excuse for man coverage (cause at one point it was alright) or the blitzing problem (cause it's stupid).

I can honestly say the only thing I like is the whole QB-throwing-motion. That's cool.

Sarlacc, on comparing .NET to Soccer: And why not? It's a bunch of people running around in circles, feigning pain, and never scoring.

"I don't know if I will like Borderlands, I'll spend 5 bucks to rent it first."Check all local rental stores. Nope, none have it. *sigh*

"Fine, I'll buy it as part of that Best Buy deal IF I can get Dragon Age to count for that 3 for 2 deal,"They didn't tell me it would, they just told me it might.

...

I now own Borderlands (and Tekken 6 (roommate) and the soon-to-be-returned Flashpoint 2... looks cool, actually, I just can't afford to keep buying games (NCAA/Madden/NBA2k/Borderlands/Dragon Age) at this rate.

Yeah, this is why I go to college .

Anyways, I'm going to find someone to scout, then I'll be busting out Borderlands.

Sarlacc, on comparing .NET to Soccer: And why not? It's a bunch of people running around in circles, feigning pain, and never scoring.

If someone invites you, a screen pops up and asks if you want to leave your game and join the person who invited you.

Usually, it's best for the lower-level person to invite so that way the higher-level person can help with quests. Also, if you start fighting higher-level enemies, you don't do as much damage to prevent uber-grinding.

I've got refurbished 360 from MS up and running with no problems (knock on wood), but I haven'tbought any new games for it for quite some time. Both Brutal Legend and Dragon Age are verytempting, however. I've never been disappointed with a Bioware game, although is this their firstgame under the EA umbrella?

Dragon Age got shipped super slow because I opted for "Free Shipping." It's not coming until Saturday, so hopefully that'll give me enough time to finish Borderlands.

And in regards to the 360, I think it's a great system it just breaks. I think that's the biggest reason (for me) not to endorse it. To each their own, I mean we're all Seahawks fans. We're paying/rooting for a constantly broken team.

I spent all of yesterday (from 3-1am) playing it. I think the biggest break I took was to make a sandwich. Having a blast. Started out a Rogue but I think playing as a Mage is more fun. As a rogue, I had 6 skill slots for potions, rogue skills, and archer skills. It's a little easier managing it all as a Mage.

Having a blast so far, not too far into the game though. The movie clips are excellent.

Sarlacc, on comparing .NET to Soccer: And why not? It's a bunch of people running around in circles, feigning pain, and never scoring.

Yeah, I killed a day with Dragon Age -- Ended up having to pay full price at Best Buy since Gamestops citywide were sold out. (Had a trade-in, guess I'll use it for Borderlands or MW2 or something)

Awesome storylines. If I can decide on one to start with, I'll try to stick to a run-through of the game. Basically spent the day checking out all of the origin stories, heh. Good problem to have with storyline writing, eh? Having trouble deciding on one because they're all just so damned cool. Even 'Human Noble' sounded boring, and was made pretty awesome.